Assistant Professors

Program Overview

The Graduate Program in Cell and
Developmental Biology offers
opportunities for advanced study and
research in cell and developmental biology
through a coordinated program of studies
leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The Program is flexible and is intended to accommodate the diverse backgrounds of students and the broad nature of research in cell and
developmental biology.

In addition to coursework, students are expected to engage in original and significant research from the start of their studies. A student's overall training program is decided upon by the student, their research supervisor, and their Advisory Committee.

Acceptance into the Program is dependent upon meeting the general entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, being accepted by the Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program Advisory Committee, and being accepted by a faculty member who is willing to act as the student's supervisor.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission requirements

Applicants will normally have a master's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited university-level institution in a relevant field of study, or a professional degree (M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M.), with clear evidence of research ability or potential.

In exceptional cases, applicants who hold a B.Sc. (Hons.) with an overall average in the 'A' grade range and who demonstrate advanced research ability may be granted direct admission to the Doctoral program on recommendation of the
Director/Graduate Advisor of the Graduate
Program in Cell & Developmental Biology
and approval of the Dean of the Faculty of
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Transfer from the M.Sc. program to the Ph.D. program is permitted, subject to agreement from the student's
research supervisor and Advisory
Committee, and subject to meeting the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements for transfer.

Applicants whose first language is not
English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Program Requirements

For the Ph.D. degree, the usual period of study is three to four years after completion of a master's program in a related discipline, or four to six
years following direct admission to the
Ph.D. program following an undergraduate
Honour's degree.

To maintain registration as doctoral students, students entering with a bachelor's degree must, during their first year of study, complete 12 credits of coursework with a first class average, of which 6 credits must be from the Program's roster of 500-level Process courses, at least 3 credits must be from the Program's roster of 500-level Content courses, and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing.

Students who enter the Ph.D. program with a master's degree in an unrelated discipline are required to successfully complete, in their first year, both of the Program's 3 credit Process courses. These students, and students who enter the Ph.D. program with a master's degree in Cell & Developmental Biology or a related discipline, are not required to take additional coursework unless this is recommended by their research supervisor in consultation with the student's Advisory Committee.

All doctoral students are required to pass a comprehensive written and oral examination within the first 24 months of study, and to undertake an original and in-depth research project under the supervision of a faculty member.

The major requirement for the Ph.D. is
completion of a research dissertation meeting the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements.

Master of Science

Admission requirements

Applicants will have a B.Sc. in a relevant discipline, with a minimum B+ average (>76%) in third and fourth year-level coursework or at least 12 credits of third- or fourth-year courses in the A- grade range (>80%), or a professional degree (M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M.).

Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to take the TOEFL.

Program Requirements

For the M.Sc. degree, the usual period of study is two to three
years.

Requirements for the M.Sc. include
the satisfactory completion of 30 credits of coursework, original and in-depth research under the supervision of a faculty member, and a research master's thesis. The thesis is assigned 18 credits and is counted as part of the coursework requirement.

Of the remaining 12 credits of coursework, 6 credits must be from the Program's roster of 500-level Process courses and at least 3 credits must be from the Program's roster of 500-level Content courses.

Transfer to the Ph.D. program is permitted, subject to agreement from the student's research supervisor and Advisory Committee, and subject to meeting the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements for transfer.